DeKALB | For the first time since 1998, the NIU women’s soccer team earned its first MAC Tournament win Sunday in Athens, Ohio.

Seventh-seeded NIU (7-10-2 overall, 5-6 MAC) upset second-seeded Ohio 2-0.

The Huskies will now advance to the MAC Tournament semifinals to meet No. 6 seed Kent State Friday in Toledo, Ohio.

Since 2001, the Huskies have dominated Ohio (9-9-1, 7-3-1). In the past three games, NIU was 3-0. Sunday took its record to 4-0.

Freshman Lisa Maier got NIU out to a quick lead when she put one in the back of the net in the 19th minute. Maier was assisted by sophomore midfielder Maddie Lehman.

That 1-0 lead ended up being enough, but the Huskies tacked on a second goal for good measure.

Off a rebound, midfielder Karen Enockson found fellow midfielder Jamie Sitter with a pass. Sitter then blasted one past Bobcat goalkeeper Dominique Wright in the 67th minute to make it 2-0.

“Today was a team effort,” said assistant coach Paul Jobson. “We were able to capitalize on opportunities; the girls’ came to play and finished.”

The upset victory gave NIU keeper Lindsey Curnock her sixth win of the season. The shutout against the Bobcats also tied the second highest season total in NIU history with six.

NIU will try to keep the upsets going when they take on Kent State Friday.

The Huskies beat KSU 2-0 back on Oct. 6, which is one reason Jobson is optimistic about Friday.